The title and cover illustration of this book caught my attention on one of the weekly Biblioguides “Recently Added” posts. Is there anyone who wouldn’t be fascinated by finding a message in a bottle?

My sisters and I spent quite a bit of time near the ocean when we were growing up, but we lived in a latitude where the beach was often the colors in these illustrations, rather than the sunny, surfer-inviting, sparkly-sand of the vacation spots you see in facebook photos.

“The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles lived alone on a high spot with only one tree for shade. He always kept his eyes on the waves, watchful for a glint of glass.”

His job is “of the utmost importance.” When he finds bottles floating in the ocean, he makes sure the letters inside get delivered. He may only have to walk as far as the nearest village, but he may have to “journey until his compass becomes rusty.”

He loves his job because getting the letters so often makes people happy, but his wish is that someday a letter will be for him. This is unlikely because he has no friends. His loneliness is exemplified by the bleakness of the illustrations through about half the book. 

Though a faithful pet can’t truly substitute for human relationship, I do love the loyalty of his cat. 

One day, he finds a letter that isn’t addressed to anyone, so he has no idea how to deliver it. He visits various townspeople showing them what the letter says and asking them if they recognize the handwriting.

“I’m not sure you will get this in time, but I am having a party. Tomorrow, evening tide, at the seashore. Will you please come?”

Through his diligence in attempting to fulfill his duty, he makes connections that could very well bring him what he has been longing for. Not a letter, but friendship.